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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

59 Colleges in the United States
6,630 Criminal Justice Studies Degrees Awarded
$41,994 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 116 schools to find the best for criminal justice studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall criminal justice studies education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies

1

Texas Christian University tops our 2026 ranking of the best criminal justice studies schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $34,556. Students borrow a median of $20,429 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Texas Christian University

2

Texas State University San Marcos is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 325 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $41,939. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Texas State University San Marcos

3

The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 163 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $49,360 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,908 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

4

Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at University Of North Texas, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 235 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of North Texas earn around $47,072 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of North Texas

5

A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $47,056 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Northern Arizona University

6

Sam Houston State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 778 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $44,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,218. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Sam Houston State University

7

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Houston. About 33% of students finish within six years. About 244 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Houston Downtown earn around $53,630 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston Downtown graduates carry a median of $22,757 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of Houston Downtown

8
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University came in at #8 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Angelo State University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 57 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Angelo State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,955 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Angelo State University

9
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University earned the #9 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tarleton State University awarded about 184 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,979 early in their careers. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Tarleton State University

10

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $40,308 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Stephen F Austin State University

11

Mesa Community College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 111 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Mesa Community College

12
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Phoenix College awarded about 56 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Phoenix College

13

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #13 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. About 54 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $46,943 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Chandler Gilbert Community College

14

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #14 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 255 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,491. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Get the full criminal justice studies details for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

15

Central Texas College came in at #15 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. About 191 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Central Texas College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,465 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Central Texas College

16

Laredo Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Laredo. About 21 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Laredo Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $48,194 in their early career. Laredo Community College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice studies details for Laredo Community College

17

Alvin Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. There were roughly 12 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Alvin Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,797. Alvin Community College graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Alvin Community College

18

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #18 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 20 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,052. Get the full criminal justice studies details for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

19

Rio Salado College came in at #19 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. There were roughly 23 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Rio Salado College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $51,384 in their early career. Rio Salado College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Rio Salado College

20

Texas Womans University came in at #20 for criminal justice studies this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $42,914 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,250. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Texas Womans University

21

The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #21 for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 53 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $36,532. Typical student debt for the program is $20,212. Get the full criminal justice studies details for The University Of Texas At Tyler

22

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $39,609 early in their careers. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Central Oklahoma

23
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System placed #23 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 190 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $37,578. Typical student debt for the program is $10,542. See the full criminal justice studies program report for Lone Star College System

24
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College earned the #24 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. About 39 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Blinn College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $45,980. Typical student debt for the program is $14,230. More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Blinn College

25

Saint Edwards University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 24 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $36,829 in their early career. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $24,949 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Saint Edwards University

Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies ranking:

26
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
27
28
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX
38
39
40
41
42
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
43
44
45
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX
46
47
48
49
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more criminal justice studies schools worth a look:

Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State

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View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 116 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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